Escutcheons – How Did They Get Their Name?

Well, firstly, you have to admit that “escutcheon” has a rather more elegant ring to it than “key hole cover”.

Escutcheon is an old French word derived from the Latin word SCUTUM – a shield. It is a term widely used in heraldry to signify a shield with armorial bearings, and also a shield used to decorate a tomb. As well as a key hole cover, the word escutcheon also describes an ornamental plate from which door rings or knockers are suspended.